In the very beginning of spring, I always feel an almost physical need to wear lighter colours. That is an urge most people experience to a certain degree and it makes complete sense. But when normal people tend to stick to it and start wearing progressively lighter and more colourful things until summer arrives, I soon turn contrarian.

Suddenly, everything dark and moody seems much more intriguing than all those spring florals and pastels I was craving just a moment ago. There is something powerful in wearing dark garments when it’s light outside. When in autumn and winter it makes you blend in, now it makes you stand out, without any need for pink. I have always loved black for summer (where I live, it’s almost never too warm to wear black), but when in summer I like my black minimal and simple, in spring I tend to feel more romantic.

This is a dark romance, of course, that blends Victoriana and Mexicana (Riccardo Tisci did it more innovatively in his latest Givenchy show) with a touch of Elizabeth I, modern gothic and grunge. Even I agree that this mood is something best suited for evening, as it’s even more dramatic in real life than on the picture. It’s not overly complicated, though – a long dark dress and a brownish matte lipstick are the only things you absolutely need.

It’s not a flattering beauty look, even more so because I’m not especially adept when it comes to applying make-up (I always go for impact over technique). But even if I was, pale skin, reddish eyes, ruddy cheeks and matte brown lips will not make most people look pretty. This is all insignificant, however, as the look is meant to be powerful and a bit weird at the same time. I doubt Elizabeth I and Frida Kahlo were going for pretty, either.

Pictured:
– black lace dress by Ketlin Bachmann, again
– headpiece by H&M
– Birch And Black Pepper by Jo Malone: if you’re looking for a very wearable form of birch tar and ink
– Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Ebloui: not the easiest of colours, but perfect for slightly strange looks
– Chanel Rouge Noir nail polish: an absolute classic
– Serge Lutens Lip Palette No 3: I’m wearing the colour closest to the brushes, both on my cheeks and lips. For this sepia effect I was trying to achieve, go as brown (as opposed to purple) as you can.
– The Quick by Lauren Owen: a pseudo-Victorian novel with a touch of the supernatural, there is quite a lot of hype, but I haven’t read it yet.